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2018 World Cup

Friday

In a June 22 World Cup Match in St. Petersburg, Russia, Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez fouls Brazil's Neymar (in blue at left), but the penalty was rescinded after Video Assistant Referee review. Brazil went on to win 2-0. Lee Smith/Reuters hide caption

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Lee Smith/Reuters

Has Video Refereeing Ruined The World Cup?

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Wednesday

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, is beaten by a header from France's Samuel Umtiti for the opening goal during the semifinal match between France and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia on Tuesday. Martin Meissner/AP hide caption

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Martin Meissner/AP

Friday

Thursday

Children play in the fountains near the Monument of Glory statue in Samara, Russia. The city's utility company is urging residents to conserve water during the World Cup. Stuart Franklin/FIFA via Getty Images hide caption

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Stuart Franklin/FIFA via Getty Images

Wednesday

France's Olivier Giroud, center, goes down after a header during the group C match between Denmark and France at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Tuesday. The teams played to a scoreless tie — the tournament's first. David Vincent/AP hide caption

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David Vincent/AP

Tuesday

Sunday

In the Sochi Olympic Park, the Bolshoy Ice Dome is seen behind the Olympic flame cauldron, which now has a singing fountain that performs for tourists after sunset. The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, was the most expensive Olympics in history. Alina Selyukh/NPR hide caption

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Alina Selyukh/NPR

#Sochifornia: Locals Say 2014 Olympics Helped Sochi Shed Its Soviet Sheen

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Young soccer players practice at the Sarcelles A.A.S. complex in Sarcelles, France. Pete Kiehart for NPR hide caption

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Pete Kiehart for NPR

France's World Cup Team Brings Positive Attention To Suburban Fans

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Friday

Thursday

Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov is seen inside of the defendant's cage in a military courtroom in the southwestern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don in July 2015. Sergey Venyavsky/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Sergey Venyavsky/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian Film Director Stages Hunger Strike In Russian Jail During World Cup

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Wednesday

The Telstar 18 is the official match ball for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images

The Science Behind The World Cup Ball

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Monday

Friday

Thursday

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, pictured here at Moscow's courthouse in May, was released from custody on Thursday. He said on Instagram that the prison where he was held for a month has been decked out for World Cup fans. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images